Squatting

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what changes to legislation relating to squatters there have been since 1997.

Harriet Harman: The following changes have been made:
	The Civil Procedure Rules 1998 were amended to permit Interim Possession Orders to be made against trespassers. The amendments came into force in December 2002.
	The Land Registration Act 2002 reformed the law and procedures relating to acquisition of title to registered land by squatters. The reforms came into force in October 2003.
	The Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 introduced a new police power to remove trespassers from unauthorised encampments where an alternative site is available. The provisions came into force in February 2004.
	The Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 introduced a new offence for trespass on designated sites. It came into effect in July 2005.